Flexible multibladed rotor assembly for cylinder grinding machines



Nov. 23, 1948.

FLE

, A. REBMAN xIBLE MULTIBLADED ROTOR ASSEMBLY. I 0R CYLINDER GRINDING MACHINES Filed July 27, 1945 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ALF-esp RErsMA/v BY ATTORNEY NOV. 23, 1948. '1 RE 2,454,406

. FLEXIBLE MULTIBLADED ROTOR ASSEMBLY FOR CYLINDER GRINDING MACHINES Filed July 27, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet lNVENTOR Au-nso QAFBMR BYMAr4 ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1948. I A. REBMAN 2,454,406

4 FLEXIBLE MULTIBLADED ROTOR ASSEMBLY FOR CYLINDER GRINDING MACHINES Filed July 27,1945 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 23, 1948 FLEXIBLE MULTIBLADED ROTOR AS: SEMBLY FOR CYLINDER GRINDING MACHINES Alfred Rebman, RichmondHill, N. Y., assignor to Rockwood & 00., Brooklyn, N.

ration Y., a corpo- Application July 27, 1945, Serial No. 607,418

. 9 Claims. 1 v

The present invention relates to grinding, refining and mixing machines and more particularly to grinding machines of the Bramley type for grinding, refining and mixing chocolate, cocoa beans and other materials.

One object of the present invention is to provide grinding means of improved action whereby to increase the output of the grinding machines provided with said grinding means. More particularly, pursuant to this object of the invention, the grinding means comprises a plurality of members each of which is provided with a plurality of grinding elements individually engageable with the grinding surface of the cylinder of the machine.

The above and other objects of the invention, which might hereinafter appear, will be fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustra'tive drawings.

In the drawings;

Fig. 1 is an end view of a grinding unit embodying the present invention, a part of the cylinder of the machine and a portion of the rotor being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the grinding members;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the grinding member;

Fig. 5 is an inner face view of part of one of the rinding units as seen from the line 5-5 from Fig. 2, and also shows one of the cylinder heads.

In the machine to which the present invention relates, there is a rotor which is in the form of a spider having a plurality of arms, each carrying a grinder unit at its outer end, the grinding elements of the unit being engageable with a cylindrical grinding surface provided on the inner surface of the cylinder of the machine, for example, as shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,740,194 granted December 17, 1929, to Bramley-Moore. In Fig. 1 of the drawings accompanying the present specification there is shown the outer end portion of one of the arms of the spider, and a part of the cylinder C which is provided with a grinding surface which is engaged by the grinding elements of the grinding unit which is carried by arm Ill.

The outer end of the spider arm has a slot l4 for supporting the grinding unit for adjustment radially of said arm. A bar [6 which extends longitudinally of the cylinder C has its intermediate portion' slidably mounted in slot l4 for movement radially upon It), said intermediate portion r 2 of bar l6 being secured to a center block 18 similarly slideable in slot l4 radially of arm [0.

A plurality of cross members orgrinder heads 20 are secured to bar 16. As shown by the drawings the cross members 20 are arranged impairs disposed transversely of and in spaced relation longitudinally of bar 16 and with the companion cross members 20 of each pair disposed in spaced relation circumferentially of the cylinder C or transversely of bar I6. Cross members 20 are pivotally mounted on the companion longitudinally extended rods 22. A laminated spring 24 is secured between its ends to bar l6 and at its opposite ends to the spaced rods 22, respectively, there being a pair of said laminated springs for each pair of cross members 20, the latter being positioned between said pair of springs, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The grinding unit comprises a plurality. of grinding members 26 which extend longitudinally of the cylinder. Each of said grinding members 26 is secured to a set of longitudinally spaced cross members 20. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, the grinding members 26 are arranged in sets of four on each member 20. It will be understood that the number of grinding members 26 in each set may be different from that shown.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the construction of the grinding members 26. In this respect each grinding member 26 comprises a plurality of here shown as 3, steel blades 28, 30 and 32 having their outer end portions arranged in spaced confronting relation. Said grinder blades 28, 30, 32 are transversely flexible and are held in spaced relation at their outer lateral portions by interposed spacing members 34 which are also preferably formed of steel, said members 34 being preferably of the same length as said grinding blades. The grinding member 26 also comprises a reinforcing bar 36 which is secured by rivets 38 or any other suitable material to the grinding blades and to the interposed spacing members 34. Thus, the inner lateral portions of said blades are rigidly secured together. As here shown, the grinding blades of each grinding member 26 are each formed in one piece but it will be understood that each of said grinding blades may be formed of longitudinally extending sections secured in the grinding memher by bar 36 and the companion securing rivets and likewise it will be understood that the spacing members 34 can be formed of longitudinally extending sections instead of being in one piece. It will be understood also that the grinding blades and the interposed spacing numbers are provided said recesses being defined by flat surfaces 4|- and 43 which as shown in Fig. 1 are at right angles to each other. Holes M are provided in the: cross members 20 for the shanks of the rivets 42 by which the grinding members 26 are secured to said cross members. It will be notedzthat the recesses defined by the companion surfaces'dl and 43 are spaced longitudinall of the companion cross member 20 and are open or) confront the cylindrical grinding surface If, and further, it

will be noted that as shown in Fig. 1 the surface ll against members 29- position the grinding members sothat the several blades thereof lie in planes which intersect the radial plane of the cylinder forming acute angles therewith, the said acute-angles being at the-sides of the blades which face the direction of rotation, as indicated by the arrow-A, of the spideror rotor arm I0- about the axis of the cylinder.

Thus, it will be observed that each'grinding member 26 comprises a plurality of blades having inner portions rigidly secured to companion por tions' of the cross members wywith interposed spacing means constituted by the spacing members 34; and that each grinding member '26 has outer transversely flexible portions disposed in parallel faoeto face spaced relation and termimate in grinding edges which are'offset from each other laterally of the grinding member and engage the grinding surface l2 in acute'angular relation thereto. The grinding members" 26 are pressed resiliently against said cylindrically grinding surface 12 by the laminated springs 24. The pressure on springs 24 may be regulated,'for regulating the pressure of the grinding members 26* on cylindrical surface 42 in any suitable way,

preferably by the means illustrated in the above- A The cylindrical grinding surface [2 may be formed inany suitable way, for example, as shown in the abovementioned patent, or as in the patent to McIntyre No. 1,564,427 or as in the patent to Bramley-Moore No. 1,692,884, or as in the patent to McIntyre No. 1,838,565. It will be understood, however, that reference to the cylindrical grinding surfaces such as those shown by the patents herein refer-red to are not exhaustive of the constructions of the cylindrical grinding surfaces providedfor co-action with the grinding members 26 of the present'invention. As here shown, cylindrical grinding surface !2 comprises'alternate steel strips 58- and hard fiber or non-metallic flat strips fit'disposed in abutting face to face relation in position completely around the inner surface of the cylinder (3. Strips to and 52 extend substan-' tially for the full'length' of the cylinder C be:

tween the opposite cylinder heads and are dis.-

posed edgewise inplanes extending radially of the.

cylinder. By way of illustration, members 50 are formed of thick spring steel stock and members 52 are about /32" thick.

It will be understood that various changes in the details of construction and in the arrangement of parts may be made without departing from theunderlying idea'or'principles of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I 'claim"an'didesireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A grinding member of the character described comprising a plurality of longitudinal blades having longitudinal grinding edges, said blades being disposed in face-to-face confronting relation and secured in said relation with spacing means interposed between said blades, said spacing means terminating in spaced relation to the longitudinal grinding edges of said blades, the portions of the blades extending laterally thereof between said spacing means and said grinding edges being individually flexible, said grinding edges;.-being offset from each'other laterally of the grinding member, and a longitudinal reinforcing bar secured to said blades laterally inwardly of said flexible portions.

2. Grinding means-of the'character described for coaction with .a cylindrical grinding surface, said means comprisinga rod, a member pivotally mounted on-said rod, said member extending in the direction of the circumference of said cylindrical-surface and provided with a plurality of recesses'conf'ronting said surface, and a plurality of grinding members securedto said member and extending transversely thereof, said grinding members being positioned-insaid' recesses, respectively; each of said grinding members having a; plurality-of longitudinally extending transversely/fle'xibl'e outer portions disposed in parallel face-to-face spaced relationand terminating in. cylinder-engaging grinding edges.

3. Grinding means ofthe character described for coaction witha cylindricalgrinding surface, said means comprising a rod,-a member pivotally mounted on said rod, said member extending in the direction of the circumference of said cylindrical surface and provided with a plurality of recesses confronting said surface, and a plurality of grinding members secured to said member and extending transversely thereof, said grinding members being positioned in said recesses, respectively, each of said grinding members comprising aplurality of longitudinal blades disposed in confronting face-to-face relations and having their inner portions rigidly secured in said relation with interposed spacing means, theouter portions of saidib-lades being transversely flexible'and having theirxconfrontin'g faces in' 'laterally'spacedrelation and terminating in cylinder-engaging grindirfgedges.-

- 4.'Grinding means of the character described for coaction with a cylindrical grinding surface, said means comprising a rod, 2, memberipivotally mounted-on said rod, said member extending in the direction of the circumference of said cylindrical'surface and provided with a plurality of re-" cesses confronting said surface, each of said recesses being defined by a pair'of Wall surfaces disposed in right-angular relation, anda plurality of grinding members positioned in said recesses, re-

spectiveligeach of'said' grinding members having a plurality of confronting laterally spaced parallel flat p ortions'having surf a'cesilyin'g in planes intersecting the. radial plane :ofthe cylindrical grindingigsurfaca one -of- .='said rwall surfaces :being par.-

allel to said intersecting planes for positioning the cylinder-engaging edges of said grinding members in angular relation to said cylindrical grind. ing surface.

5. Grinding means of the character described for coaction with a cylindrical grinding surface, said means comprising a rod, a member pivotally mounted on said rod, said member extending in the direction of the circumference of said cylindrical surface, and a plurality of grinding members secured to said member, each of said grinding members comprising a plurality of longitudinal blades extending transversely of said member, said blades being disposed in face-toface confronting relation and secured in said relation with spacing means interposed between said blades, said spacing means terminating in spaced relation to the longitudinal grinding edges of said blades, the portions of the blades extending laterally thereof between said spacing means and said grinding edges being individually flexible, said grinding edges being offset from each other laterally of the grinding member.

6. Grinding means of the character described for coaction with a cylindrical grinding surface, said means comprising a rod, a member pivotally mounted on said rod, said member extending in the direction of the circumference of said cylindrical surface, and a. plurality of grinding members secured to said member, each of said grinding members comprising a plurality of longitudinal blades extending transversely of said member, said blades being disposed in face-toface confronting relation and secured in said relation with spacing means interposed between said blades, said spacing means terminating in spaced relation to the longitudinal grinding edges of said blades, the portions of the blades extending laterally thereof between said spacing means and said grinding edges being individually flexible, said grinding edges being offset from each other laterally of the grinding member, said members having means for positioning said blades in planes intersecting the radial plane of the cylindrical grinding surface with all of the grinding edges of said blades in engagement with said cylindrical grinding surface.

'7. In a grinding machine of the character described having a cylindrical grinding surface and a rotor co-axial with said cylindrical grinding surface, a grinding unit carried by said rotor and comprising a plurality of grinding members extending longitudinally of the cylinder and disposed in circumferentially spaced relation adjacent to said grinding surface, each of said grinding members being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said cylindrical surface and comprising a plurality of longitudinal blades extending longitudinally of said cylinder and disposed in confronting face-toface relations and having their inner portions rigidly secured in said relation with interposed spacing means abutting confronting faces of adjacent blades, the outer portions of said blades being transversely flexible and having their confronting faces in laterally spaced relation and terminating in cylinder-engaging grinding edges, the outer portions of said blades being disposed in planes which intersect the radial planes of said cylinder at acute angles in the direction of rotation of said rotor.

8. In a grinding machine of the character described having a cylindrical grinding surface and a rotor co-axial with said cylindrical grinding surface, a grinding unit carried by said rotor and comprising a plurality of grinding members extending longitudinally of the cylinder and disposed in circumferentially spaced relation adjacent to said grinding surface, each of said grinding members being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said cylindrical surface and comprising a plurality of longitudinal blades extending longitudinally of said cylinder and disposed in confronting faceto-face relations and having their inner portions rigidly secured in said relation with interposed spacing means abutting confronting faces of adjacent blades, the outer portions of said blades being transversely flexible and having their confronting faces in laterally spaced relation and terminating in cylinder-engaging grinding edges, the outer portions of said blades being disposed in planes which intersect the radial planes of said cylinder at acute angles in the direction of rotation of said rotor, means movable radially of said rotor, and a flexible connection between said radially movable means and said grinding members for resiliently pressing the grinding edges of said blades against said grinding surface under the control of said radially movable means.

9. In a grinding machine of the character described having a cylindrical grinding surface and a rotor co-axial with said cylindrical grinding surface, a grinding unit carried by said rotor and comprising a plurality of grinding members extending longitudinally of the cylinder and disposed in ciroumferentially spaced relation adjacent to said grinding surface, each of said grinding members being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said cylindrical surface and comprising a plurality of longitudinal blades extending longitudinally of said cylinder and disposed in confronting face-toface relations and having their inner portions rigidly secured in said relation, the outer portions of said blades being transversely flexible and having their confronting faces in laterally spaced relation and terminating in cylinder-engaging grinding edges, means movable radially of said rotor, and a flexible connection between said radially movable means and said grinding members for resiliently pressing the grinding edges of said blades against said grinding surface under the control of said radially movable means.

ALFRED REBMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,564,427 McIntyre Dec. 8, 1925 1,838,565 McIntyre Dec. 29, 1931 2,052,718 Maiers Sept. 1, 1936 2,325,509 Hastwell July 27, 1943 

